ASIA/INDIA - High quality education and studies: a tradition at Catholic schools and universities

Ahmedabad (Fides Service) - Catholic schools and universities in India must continue to provide high quality education and studies said Archbishop Stanislao Fernandes of Gandhinagar president of the Council of Catholic Institutes in the north western state of Gujarat at a recent meeting in the state capital Ahmedabad.
By tradition Catholic schools are centres of excellent instruction and formation and preparation for various professions. They must keep up this tradition and identity to merit the acquired trust of India’s civil institutions and the people and society in general said the Archbishop who underlined that high quality education demands adequate formation of competent teaching staff and therefore considerable all round investment economic, human resources and strategic.
Jesuit Father Thomas V. Kunnunkal who teaches at the Indian Social Institute of Delhi and recently published a book on the role of teachers in building a new India, said education is the fundamental for building a tolerant and peace loving nation which respects the rights of individuals and minority groups.
In the meantime there is widespread dismay in India and Uttar Pradesh state in particular since University of Agrarian Studies in Allahabad run by a body of representatives of different Christian Churches was forced to close after repeated attacks by extremist Hindu groups in August and September.
The Bishops of India have voiced deep concern that Christian institutions are being targeted. India benefits from a network of Catholic schools and colleges of all grades which have offered an enormous contribution to the progress and prosperity of the country, promoting the fundamental values of democratic education. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/9/2005 righe 28 parole 278)